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4 Phelps Street
Kate E. Furey
Shopkeeper
Built c. 1914
Researched and written by Connie Barlow
August 2022
Historic Salem Inc.
The Bowditch House
9 North Street
(978) 745-0799 / HistoricSalem.org
©2022
�For three weeks in August of 1880, Nathaniel Very, Collector of Taxes for the City of
Salem, posted notices around town and in the Salem newspaper announcing the sale at public
auction of land with a dwelling at 4 Phelps Street, the auction to be held on August 23, 1880.
State, county and city taxes had not been paid on the property in 1877 and in 1878. The highest
bidder at the auction was Dennis Brady and his business partner Michael Shortell, owners of a
shoe manufacturing business, who bought the property for “the discharge and payment of said
taxes and said incidental costs and expenses” for $500.1
Brady rented the property shortly thereafter: the Salem City Directory listed one
Michael S. Furey, shoemaker, as residing at 4 Phelps Street in 1881 and 1882-1883.2 In July of
1884, Michael Furey purchased the property from Dennis Brady for the sum of $500. 3
Furey was born in Ireland in 1855, having immigrated to the United States at the age of
ten. In 1876, he married his wife Katherine (later referred to in documents to as “Kate” or
“Catherine”). By 1900, they had nine children, eight of whom still lived at home.4 The eight
offspring living with them at 4 Phelps Street at that time were: Catherine, Margaret, Mary,
Sarah, Helen, Francis (Frank), Bessie and Thomas, ranging in age from 10 to 22 years of age.
1
Salem Registry of Deeds, 1043-243
City of Salem Directories, 1881, 1882-1883
3
Salem Registry of Deeds, 1131-98
4
1900 United States Census Place: Salem Ward 3, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: 647; Page: 7; Enumeration
District: 0449; FHL microfilm: 1240647
2
�Sometime around or before 1906, Kate Furey opened a “variety” store out of the house
on Phelps Street.5 In 1908, Kate was listed in the City Directory as “Mrs. Kate E. Furey, widow of
Michael S. (d. Nov. 23, 1907).”6 Furey’s death is recorded in the Massachusetts Death Index.7
Early in January 1908, the Furey children, having been the heirs of their father Michael’s
estate, transferred the deed for 4 Phelps Street to their mother for “one dollar and other
valuable considerations to us paid.”8
Four of the adult children were living with Catherine in 1908: Catherine, Bessie (who
worked as a stenographer), Frank (who was working as a clerk), and Sarah (whose occupation
was listed as “box maker.”) Two years later, six of them shared the home with their mother,
Kate, who continued to operate the variety store.9
Over the next few years, the children moved in and moved out with their numbers
shifting as Kate continued to make a living with the shop. By 1913, there were four at home:
Bessie, who still worked as a stenographer, Sarah, who was a cashier at Riker Janes Drug Co.,
Catherine, and Thomas, a clerk. Frank was recorded as having moved to California.10
On June 25, 1914, tragedy struck the city of Salem when what has been called “the
Great Salem Fire” began just a few blocks north of Phelps Street on Boston Street, quickly
spreading across Boston Street and destroying much of the north end of Broad Street and
adjacent areas. The Furey’s house at 4 Phelps Street was not spared, becoming just one of the
1,376 buildings consumed by the flames.
5
6
7
City of Salem Directory, 1906
City of Salem Directory, 1908
Massachusetts, U.S., Death Index, 1901-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations,
Inc., 2013.
8
Salem Registry of Deeds, 1912-179, 180
City of Salem Directory, 1910
10
City of Salem Directory, 1913
9
�View of the north end of Broad Street prior to 1914 fire
View of the same area of Broad Street post 1914 fire11
11
Photos from streetsofsalem.com blog by Donna Seger, June 27,2014
�Listing in “Data on Burn District of Salem,” by F.W. Dodge Co., 191412
The information shown above from the report published by the Dodge Company
following the fire indicated that Catherine Furey’s residence and shop at 4 Phelps Street was
constructed of wood (W); the assessed value on the land (A.L.) was $500; the assessed value on
the building (A.B.) was $1,100; and the insurance on the building (I.B.) was $4,350. (Catherine
had also been deeded a second property at 2 Phelps Street which Michael Furey had purchased
from Georgiana Lewis, also conveyed to her in the deed of 1908.13) Kate began rebuilding her
home almost immediately. The City Directory for 1914 suggests that Kate and five of the
younger Furey’s resided at 14 Flint Street during the time that the house and shop were being
rebuilt,14 but were once again living at 4 Phelps in 1915.15
By the time of the U.S. Census in 1920, only the eldest daughter, Catherine, was still
living with her mother Kate on Phelps Street. Kate was described as widowed, head of
household, and a self-employed shop keeper at age 62.16
In 1924, Kate Furey was 66. Most of her large brood of children had moved out on their
own and perhaps the house at 4 Phelps seemed too large for her and she was ready to retire
from running the shop. Whatever her exact reasons, Kate Furey sold the property at 4 Phelps
12
https://digitalrepository.salemstate.edu/handle/20.500.13013/493
Salem Registry of Deeds, 1178-526
14
Salem City Directory, 1914
15
Salem City Directory, 1915
16 1920 U.S. Census; Census Place: Salem Ward 3, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_696; Page: 2B; Enumeration
District: 266
13
�Street in July of that year to Caroline L. Cawley, the property described by her in the deed as
“being the same premises conveyed to me by the heirs of my late husband, Michael S. Furey.” 17
Kate and daughter Catherine then moved into the other property left to them by Michael
Furey: 2 Phelps Street.18
In the 1924 Salem City Directory, Caroline Cawley was listed as living with her husband,
Henry M. Cawley, at 4 Phelps. Henry was identified as a plumbing inspector in Peabody. A
woman named Margaret Morrill was also listed as living at #4 and listed as running the variety
store, but two years later Morrill, still living at 4 Phelps, was listed only as a student.19 Research
on the Cawleys’ life prior to the purchase of 4 Phelps reveals that they were the parents of
three children: Ada, Frank B. and Henry L.,20all of whom would have been in their thirties when
the Phelps Street property was purchased. However, Ada, who had married Frederick Morrill,
passed away in hospital due to peritonitis at age 22.21 Margery Morrill, a relation of their sonin-law, Frederick, was living with the Cawley’s in Peabody in 1920 and was identified as a
niece.22
Henry Cawley expired in 1928.23 Caroline Cawley was 64 years old at the time of this
death. Soon after becoming a widow, she began to operate #4 Phelps Street as a “Lodging
House” as a means of supplementing her income.
17
Salem Registry of Deeds, 2605-487
Salem City Directory, 1924
19
Salem City Directory, 1926
20 1900 United States Census Place: Peabody, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: 647; Page: 12; Enumeration
District: 0429; FHL microfilm: 1240647
21
Massachusetts, U.S., Death Records, 1841-1915 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com
Operations, Inc., 2013.
22 1920 United States Census Place: Peabody Ward 1, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_696; Page: 9A;
Enumeration District: 238
23 Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Death Index, 1901-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA:
Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
18
�The 1930 census indicates that eight “roomers” were residing there as “household
members.”24 Apparently, the boarding house endeavor was short-lived. Two years later,
Caroline was sharing the house only with her son, Henry L. Cawley, a salesman, and his wife,
Ethel, who worked as a saleswoman at Ye Little Food Shop on Washington Street.25 Henry and
Ethel had two children, George and Carolyn, who were listed in the 1940 census as being fifteen
and seven years old, respectively.26
The five Cawley’s lived together for the next several years until Caroline Cawley passed
away in 1936.27 After her death, Henry and Ethel took in a boarder, George Cassell, a laboratory
worker.28 The 1941 City Directory revealed some major changes in the household. Henry
Cawley no longer lived there and did not live at Phelps Street again. In 1969 at the time of his
death, he was buried in Salem.29
241930
United State Census Place: Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0250; FHL
microfilm: 2340637
25
Salem City Directory, 1932
26 1940 United States Census Place: Salem, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: m-t0627-01589; Page: 5A; Enumeration
District: 5-343
27 U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.,
2012.
28
Salem City Directory, 1940
29 U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA:
Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
�As a single woman with two children, Ethel resorted once again to taking in boarders:
John Dowling, whose occupation was listed as a “tacker,” and Mrs. Ella Sauve, a saleswoman at
Sears Roebuck & Co. Ethel herself was employed as a “restaurant worker.”30
In 1944 during the Second World War, George Cawley was nineteen years old and
served in the United States Coast Guard.31 He listed his permanent residence as 4 Phelps Street
with his mother Ethel. Ella Sauve and John Dowling continued to board there also. Two years
later, however, George was married to Josephine T. Cawley and had an infant daughter, Carol.32
Another major shift in living arrangements occurred in 1951. Ethel Cawley, who still
worked at the restaurant, and her daughter Carolyn B. Cawley, who worked as a bookkeeper
for Joseph P. Manning Tobacco Co., relocated to an apartment on Porter Street in Salem,
leaving George and Josephine with their growing family and a boarder, Pearl Joy, a shoe worker
at Winston Shoe Company. George had a job as a driver for Swift & Co. Wholesale Meats.33
Josephine and George continued to supplement their income by renting to boarders. In
1952, Pearl Joy had moved on but Raymond W. Woodward, a “supervisor,” and his wife Ella
lived at #434. Two other borders, Robert Gaige and his wife Joan, lived there from 1953-1954.
Initially, Robert was in the Army but was then employed at Sylvania.35
By 1959, George Cawley had been promoted at Swift & Co. to the position of “provision
man,” and Josephine worked as a clerk at the Merchants-Warren National Bank of Salem. Two
women had boarded with them for several years: Mrs. Kathleen Gardner, a widow, and Victoria
30
Salem City Directory, 1943
Salem City Directory, 1944
32
Salem City Directory, 1946
33
Salem City Directory, 1951
34
Salem City Directory, 1952
35
Salem City Directory, 1954
31
�Kopcvznka, a teacher at Salem High School.36 Those four adults constituted the household along
with the Cawley’s two daughters, Carol and Barbara, for several years. Daughter Carol was a
student in high school in 1965 when a third daughter was born: Elizabeth, often called “Beth.”37
Miss Kopcznka, continued to board with the family. Carol moved to Washington, D.C. in 1970
where she worked as a secretary at the Pentagon.38
George and Josephine Cawley, their daughter Elizabeth, and Miss Kopcznka lived
together with very little change until 1984. By that year, both George and Victoria Kopcznka
had retired Josephine worked for Nynex in Salem, and Beth had her own apartment in Salem.39
In March of 1984, George Cawley, who acted as trustee of his grandmother, Caroline L.
Cawley’s, will, created a legal deed for 4 Phelps Street to be held by himself and his sister
Carolyn B. LeBlanc as joint tenants of the property, for no monetary consideration.40 His sister
changed the deed in May to a shared tenancy to herself and her husband, Edward LeBlanc. 41 In
May 1985, George and Josephine Cawley purchased Carolyn and Edward LeBlanc’s share of the
property for $45,000.42
Josephine Crawley retired from Nynex in 1993.43 The three retirees continued to live
together until Victoria Kopcznka died in 1999,44 followed by the death of Josephine Cawley in
2005.45 Six months later, George L. Cawley passed away at age 81.46
36
Salem City Directory, 1959
Salem City Directory, 1965
38
Salem City Directory, 1970
39
Salem City Directory, 1984
40
Salem Registry of Deeds, 7355-565
41
Salem Registry of Deeds, 7423-104
42
Salem Registry of Deeds, 7765-172
43
City of Salem Annual Listing, 1993
44
City of Salem Annual Listing, 2000
45
Boston Globe, November 26, 2005, p.30
46
Boston Globe, May 8, 2006, p.30
37
�Boston Globe, November 26, 2005, Saturday, p.30
�Boston Globe, Monday, May 8, 2006, p.30
�In April of 2009, Josephine Cawley’s daughter, Barbara St. Pierre, as Trustee of
Josephine’s will, granted the Phelps Street property to herself and two sisters, Carol Frasier and
Elizabeth Debski, for consideration paid less than $100.47 A year later, the three sisters
conveyed the property with Quit Claim to Robert C. St. Pierre for $255,000.48 Robert was the
grandson of Josephine and George Cawley. According to the City of Salem Annual Listings, no
one resided in the Phelps Street property from 2007-2015, following George Cawley’s death.
For two years Robert St. Pierre, a corrections officer, and his wife Michelle, a nurse,
were listed as occupying 4 Phelps Street from 2016 to 2017.49
Aaron Paternoster and his wife, Anna Burnham, purchased the house from the St.
Pierre’s in July 2018.50 The 2019 City of Salem Annual Listing identified Anna Burnham as
employed in management and Aaron Paternoster as an engineer.51
47
Salem Registry of Deed, 28507-537
Salem Registry of Deeds 29496-151
49
City of Salem Annual Listing, 2016 and 2017
50
Salem Registry of Deeds, 36895-151
51
City of Salem Annual Listing, 2019
48
�Directory Year
Resident
Occupation
1881-1907
Michael S. Furey
Shoemaker
1881-1924
Kate E. Furey
Shopkeeper
1881-1924
Catherine
Homemaker
1881-1905
Margaret
Servant
1882-1905
Mary P. Furey
Box maker
1884-1922
Sarah Furey
Cashier, Drug Store
1885-1912
Helen A. Furey
Stenographer
1886-1914
Frank Furey
Shoe worker; mason
1888-1915
Bessie Furey
Stenographer
1890-1917
Thomas Furey
Machinist
1924-1936
Caroline L. Cawley
Proprietor, Boarding House
1924-1928
Henry M. Cawley
Plumber
1924-1926
Margery Morrill
Student
1930-1931
Anna Fisher
Roomer
1930-1931
Harriet Fisher
Former Danvers patient
1930-1931
Bill Evans
Lawyer
1930-1931
Mary Evans
Bank clerk
1930-1931
George Doran
Plumber
1930-1931
Ruth Rennaman
Teacher
1930-1931
George Loring
Retired druggist
1930-1931
Albert T. Lee
Roomer
1932-1940
Henry L. Cawley
Belt maker
1932-1950
Ethel Cawley
Restaurant worker
1941
George Cassell
Laboratory worker
1942-1946
John Dowling
Tacker (shoe worker?)
1943-1946
Ella Sauve
Sales, Sears Roebuck & Co.
�1944-2006
George L. Cawley
Sales, Swift & Co.
1946-2005
Josephine T. Cawley
Bank clerk
1946-1970
Carol A. Cawley
Student
1950-1952
Pearl Joy
Shoe worker, Winston Shoe
1952-1987
Barbara Cawley
Child, student
1952
Raymond Woodward
Supervisor
1952
Ella Woodward
Homemaker
1953-1954
Robert J. Gaige
Employ, Sylvania
1953-1954
Joan Gaige
Homemaker
1956-1959
Kathleen Gardner
Widow
1958-1999
Victoria Kopcznka
Teacher, Salem High
1961-1962
Donald Reynolds
Salesman, Putnam Lumber
1965-1983
Elizabeth Cawley
Child, student
2016-2017
Robert St. Pierre
Corrections officer
2016-2017
Michelle St. Pierre
Nurse
2018-present
Aaron Paternoster
Engineer
2018-presenet
Anna Burnham
Management
�Homeowner Date
Years of
Number
Purchased Ownership of Years
Dennis
August 23, 1880-1884
4
Brady et al. 1880
Michal S
Furey
Catherine
Furey
July 10,
1884
January 7,
1908
1884-1908
24
1908-1924
16
Caroline L.
Cawley
July 10,
1924
1924-1984
60
George L
Cawley &
Carolyn B.
LeBlanc
Carolyn
LeBlanc &
Edward
LeBlanc
George L.
Cawley &
Josephine T.
Cawley
Barbara St.
Pierre Carol
Frazier,
Elizabeth
Debski
Robert C.
St.Pierre
March 13,
1984
March
1984-May
1984
2
May 24,
1984
May 1984May 1985
1 year
May 23,
1985
1985-2009
April 21,
2009
Aaron
Paternoster
& Anna
Burnham
months
Purchase Price Deed
Notes
Referenced
$500 & back
1043-243
Public
taxes
sale at
auction
$500
1131-98
Land with
dwelling
$1 & other
1912-179
From
valuable
heirs of
considerations
Michael
Furey
Considerations 2605-487
Land with
Paid
building
thereon
No monetary
7355-565
Will of
consideration
Caroline
Cawley
For
considerations
7423-104
Shared
Tenancy
24
$45,000
7765-172
Tenants
in
entirety
2009-2010
1
Consideration
paid I full less
than $100
28507-537
Will of
Josephine
Cawley
May 28,
2010
2010-2018
7
$255,000
29496-151
July 27,
2018
2018-
$413,500
36895-151
Quit
claim
land with
building
Land with
building
�1897 Salem Atlas, Plate 6, showing Furey House at 4 Phelps Street
�DEEDS
������������
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Phelps Street
Historic Salem, Inc. House History
A resource made available by Historic Salem, Inc. detailing the history of Salem's houses.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
4 Phelps Street, Salem, MA, 01970
Subject
The topic of the resource
House History
Description
An account of the resource
Kate E. Furey
Shopkeeper
Built c. 1914
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Historic Salem Inc.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Historic Salem Inc. house histories
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Historic Salem Inc.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Built circa 1914
House history completed 2022
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Connie Barlow
Language
A language of the resource
English
1914
2022
4 Phelps Street
Furey
Massachusetts
Salem
shopkeeper